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BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) is warning the public following a
spike in acute gastrointestinal illness associated with the consumption
of oysters.

Since early December 2016, over 70
cases of oyster-related illness have been reported to BC health
authorities. Illnesses have been reported to Island Health,
Vancouver Coastal Health, Fraser Health and First Nations Health
Authority. The outbreak is ongoing and more cases are expected.

People who have been ill have reported
eating raw oysters or lightly-cooked oysters in restaurants or
prepared at home.

“Testing in several of the cases
confirmed the presence of norovirus, and we suspect norovirus in the
others,” said Dr. Eleni Galanis, epidemiologist at the BCCDC. “In
order to kill norovirus and other bugs, people need to cook oysters
thoroughly, to an internal temperature of 90 degrees Celsius for 90
seconds.”

Dr. Galanis says oysters can make
people sick at any time during the year. While raw oyster
consumption during the summer months is linked to an increased risk
of illness from “Vibrio” (Vibrio parahaemolyticus),
other microorganisms like norovirus can be present all year.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone becoming ill with diarrhea and
vomiting after eating shellfish should call BC HealthLink at 811. If
symptoms are severe or persist, they should see their physician.

The
BC Centre for Disease Control, an agency of the
Provincial Health Services Authority, provides provincial and
national leadership in public health through surveillance,
detection, treatment, prevention and consultation services. The
Centre provides both direct diagnostic and treatment services for
people with diseases of public health importance and analytical and
policy support to all levels of government and health authorities.

For more information, please visit
www.bccdc.ca or
follow us on Twitter @CDCofBC.

The Provincial Health Services
Authority (PHSA) plans, manages and evaluates selected
specialty and province-wide health care services across BC, working
with the five geographic health authorities to deliver province-wide
solutions that improve the health of British Columbians.

For more information, visit
www.phsa.ca or
follow us on Twitter @PHSAofBC.